(Cricket news) India gear up to take on New Zealand in the 1st of the 5 ODIs in Queenstown, New Zealand. It is a massive advantage that India gets to play 5 ODIs in the host country just before the World Cup begins. The results will just affect the confidence of the side but the preparation and experience it will give the side is invaluable. Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami will be hoping to finally get their hands on the coveted trophy as this is most probably their last World Cup.
India's Possible Playing XI:
Shafali Verma, Mithali Raj(c), Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Pooja Vastrakar, Simran Dil Bahadur, Jhulan Goswami, Rajeshwari Gaikwad.
Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami come into the side after the T20Is. Smriti Mandhana, Renuka Singh Thakur and Meghna Singh are still in extended quarantine and their availability is a big question mark. Mithali Raj is likely to open the innings which will allow her more time at the crease to settle in. Simran Dil Bahadur who originally is a standby should come into the side with India not having any other seamer available. Taniya Bhatia who is available for selection will most likely be on the bench
The T20I result wouldn't disappoint India too much as they did have their 3 key players unavailable. This is a great opportunity for Simran Dil Bahadur to make an impact and try to get into the squad instead of being just a stand-by. S. Meghna who played a very good knock in the T20 game is also a stand-by along with Ekta Bisht. There is a lot of pressure on the selectors as they have decided to leave out Shikha Pandey and Jemimah from the squad and have not even kept them in the reserves. If things go wrong for India in this series and/or the World Cup then there will surely be an outrage.
New Zealand squad:
Sophie Devine(c), Amy Satterthwaite, Suzie Bates, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Frankie Mackay, Rosemary Mair, Katey Martin, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu
Also reaad: India likely to prefer rotations over whitewash in the 3rd ODI
